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RiversideCA.gov
1 WORKSHOP – EXISTING SIGN
ORDINANCE AND POLICY
Land Use Committee
September 9, 2024
Community & Economic Development Department
RiversideCA.gov
2 BACKGROUND
August 2013
• Council direction for more business-
friendly sign regulations.
• Formation of Sign Code Review
Committee
August 2015 • City Council adopts comprehensive
update to sign code
Today
• Workshop on existing sign requirements
of RMC and Citywide Design
Guidelines
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RiversideCA.gov
3 RMC CHAPTER 19.620
• Permitted and prohibited signs
• Required objective
development standards
• Permitting process
CITYWIDE DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Desired sign types and
treatments
• Subjective by nature
• Applied with flexibility to the
extent feasible
CURRENT REGULATIONS
RiversideCA.gov
4 CHAPTER 19.620 – BUILDING SIGNS
WINDOW SIGNS
One per public
entrance, up to 25% of
window size
UNDER CANOPY SIGNS
Intended for
pedestrian oriented
view
BLADE SIGNS
Typically seen on
historic properties
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5 CHAPTER 19.620 – BUILDING SIGNS
WALL SIGNS
• Typical Tenant/occupant identification
• 1 square foot of sign area per 1 lineal foot of
building frontage
• 1 per tenant, up to 5 for tenants with 80 or more
feet of building frontage
RiversideCA.gov
6 CHAPTER 19.620 – BUILDING SIGNS
500 of more lf350-499 lf200-349 lf80-199 lfLess than 80 lf Tenant
Building
frontage
(lineal feet)
5 wall signs4 wall signs3 wall signs2 wall signs1 wall sign Max number
of signs per
frontage
1 sf sign area:
1 lf of building
frontage up to
500 sf
1 sf sign area:
1 lf of building
frontage up to
400 sf
1 sf sign area:
1 lf of building
frontage up to
200 sf
1 sf sign area:
1 lf of building
frontage
1 sf sign area:
1 lf of building
frontage
Maximum sign
size
(cumulative)
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RiversideCA.gov
7 CHAPTER 19.620 – FREESTANDING SIGNS
FREEWAY ORIENTED SIGN
• Intended for large properties
with frontage along a freeway
• Require public hearing with the
Planning Commission
• Required findings must be
made
MONUMENT SIGN
• Low profile, typical for
commercial complexes
PYLON SIGN
• Permitted for larger
complexes
• Typically taller than
wide
RiversideCA.gov
8 CHAPTER 19.620 – FREESTANDING SIGNS
25 or more
acres10-25 acres6-10 acres2-6 acres1-2 acresUnder 1 acreSite Size 5 Signs
Max 50 sf
Max 10 ft tall
5 Signs
Max 50 sf
Max 10 ft tall
4 Signs
Max 50 sf
Max 10 ft tall
3 Signs
Max 50 sf
Max 8 ft Tall
3 signs
Max 40 sf
Max 8 ft tall
1 sign
Max 30 sf
Max 6 ft tall
Monument
Signs
2 signs
Max 110 sf
Max 25ft tall
1 sign
Max 110 sf
Max 25ft tall
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Not
permitted Pylon Signs
1 sign
Max 500 sf
Max 60 ft tall
9 acres or larger:
1 sign
Max 225 sf
Max 40 ft tall
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Not
permitted
Freeway-
Oriented
Signs
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RiversideCA.gov
9 CHAPTER 19.620 – SPECIAL USE SIGNS
DRIVE THRU MENU SIGNS VEHICLE FUEL STATION SIGNS
• Special use sign regulations last updated on April 9, 2024. • Includes signs for drive-thrus, vehicle fuel stations, parking lots/garages, and electronic message center (digital signs)
RiversideCA.gov
10 CHAPTER 19.620 – TEMPORARY SIGNS
• Requires approved no-fee permit
• May be displayed for 30 consecutive days
• Signs for events must be removed 7 days after event concludes, maximum 60 days a year Source: Half Price Banners
Source: San Diego Balloons
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11 CHAPTER 19.620 – PROHIBITED SIGNS
• Billboards
• Roof Signs
• Feather Banners
• Pole Signs
• Advertising Statuary
• Signs that produce
emissions or noise
• Signs on public property/
public ROW
Source: Roadside Architecture
Source: EZ Banners
Source: Greenfield Signs
RiversideCA.gov
12 SIGNS IN SPECIFIC PLANS
Source: EZ Banners Source: Greenfield Signs
CANYON SPRINGSRIVERSIDE AUTO CENTER
DOWNTOWN
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RiversideCA.gov
13 CITYWIDE DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Adopted as part of General
Plan 2025
• Promote a quality visual
environment by allowing signs
that are compatible with their
surroundings
• Encourage creative and
innovative approaches to
signage
• Guidelines are not standards –
intended to be met to the
extent feasible
RiversideCA.gov
14 CITYWIDE DESIGN GUIDELINES
• Design: Compatible and
complementary to existing
architecture
• Location: strategically placed to
establish or continue façade
rhythm
• Color: contrasting colors
encouraged for legibility
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15 CITYWIDE DESIGN GUIDELINES
Material
• Compatible with the design of the building or project. • Durable and weather resistant
ENCOURAGED DISCOURAGED
RiversideCA.gov
16 CITYWIDE DESIGN GUIDELINES
Illumination Techniques
• Internal
• External
• Backlit
• Neon
• Historic signs should
utilize period-specific
illumination
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17 PERMITTING AND PROCESS
Permitting
• Generally, all signs require
Administrative Sign Review and
approved building permit
• Typically over the counter with some
exceptions
• Nonconforming signs may continue,
but any proposed changed must
comply with current code.
Sign Programs
• Required for multitenant occupancy sites/buildings
• Establish consistency and cohesion in project
• Administrative approval
RiversideCA.gov
18 STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT
ENVISION RIVERSIDE 2025 STRATEGIC PLAN
Strategic Priority 3 - Economic Opportunity
Goal 3.3 – Cultivate a business climate that welcomes innovation, entrepreneurship and investment
Strategic Priority 5 – High Performing Government
Goal 5.3 Enhance communication and collaboration with community members to improve transparency, build public trust, and encourage shared decision-making Cross-Cutting Threads
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RiversideCA.gov
19 That the Land Use Committee:
1.RECEIVE AND FILE an update on the existing sign policies within the City; and
2.PROVIDE staff with direction to explore any potential changes.
RECOMMENDATIONS
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